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Research Overview

The Global Supply Chain Laboratory (GSCL) is a Texas A&M Industrial Distribution Program laboratory utilized to educate our students, create cutting edge solutions for wholesale and industrial distribution channels, and provide answers to Distribution and Supply Chain Management (SCM) challenges. The lab conducts research projects to solve distribution industry problems. Projects areas include inventory classification (ABC stratification), forecasting, purchasing planning, distribution network optimization (asset management), logistics planning, distribution channel analysis, application of performance metrics, Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) process and functionality improvements, etc. The lab also assists distributors and manufacturers with technology implementation, process automation and training to better manage their assets and increase profitability. The Global Supply Chain Laboratory also offers education and training to industrial distributors and manufacturers. The educational programs are research based, innovative, proven, and cutting edge methods developed within Texas A&M's Industrial Distribution Program.


The Thomas and Joan Read Center for Distribution Research and Education applies both advanced research skills and a thorough understanding of distribution to every project. Our experts, who merge long standing industry experience with the latest developments in academia, conduct both primary and secondary research for manufacturers, distributors, professional associations and publications.

Our expertise lies in the following major areas with in the field of Industrial Distribution.

  • Distributor Quality
  • Sales / Marketing
  • Executive Leadership
  • Strategy / Relationships
  • Profitability / Purchasing
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Transportation / Logistics
  • ERP / CRM / IT / E-business

Our Faculty

Robert M. Borsh, Jr.

  • Associate Professor of Practice, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
Robert M. Borsh, Jr.

Ismail Capar

  • Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
Ismail Capar

Bahar Cavdar

  • Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
Bahar Cavdar

Yanling Chang

  • Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution and Industrial & Systems Engineering,
  • Industrial Distribution
Yanling Chang

Norm Clark

  • Instructional Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
Norm Clark

Tom Comstock

  • Senior Lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
Tom Comstock

Read Frymire

  • Senior Lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
Read Frymire

Eleftherios Iakovou

  • Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
  • Director, Manufacturing & Logistics Innovation Initiatives, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
  • Harvey Hubbell Professorship
  • Affiliated Faculty, Mechanical Engineering
  • Affiliated Faculty, Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy, The Bush School of Government and Public Service
Eleftherios Iakovou

Jay Johnson

  • Senior Lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
Jay Johnson

Mark Johnson

  • Director, Professors of Practice Program
  • Associate Professor of Practice, Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution,
Mark Johnson

F. Barry Lawrence

  • Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution, Program Coordinator
  • Director, Thomas & Joan Read Center for Distribution Research and Education
  • Director, Global Supply Chain Laboratory
  • Leonard & Valerie Bruce Professor
F. Barry Lawrence

Bharani Nagarathnam

  • Instructional Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Associate Director, Master of Industrial Distribution Program
Bharani Nagarathnam

Malini Natarajarathinam

  • Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
Malini Natarajarathinam

Bimal Nepal

  • Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Associate Director, Industrial Distribution
  • Rader I Professor
Bimal Nepal

Xiaofeng Nie

  • Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
Xiaofeng Nie

Daniel Rey

  • Associate Professor of Practice, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
Daniel Rey

Esther Rodriguez Silva

  • Principal Research Engineer III, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
Esther Rodriguez Silva

Chukwuzubelu Ufodike

  • Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution, and Multidisciplinary Engineering
  • Industrial Distribution
  • Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Charlotte & Walter Buchanan Faculty Fellow
  • Affiliated Faculty, Mechanical Engineering
Chukwuzubelu Ufodike

Evan Vestal

  • Senior Lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industry Projects Coordinator, Industrial Distribution
Evan Vestal

Na Zou

  • Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
  • Industrial Distribution
  • Corrie & Jim Furber '64 Faculty Fellow
Na Zou